July 4th theme selected

The city's quest for a Grand Marshal for the Fourth of July Parade will focus on looking through the eyes of a child.

The Fourth of July Committee has announced its "Through the Eyes of a Child  1857 to 2007" theme for the celebration.

The Crescent City-Del Norte County Chamber of Commerce selected the theme after asking for suggestions from the public. Missy Blackburn's suggestion was chosen for this year's theme.

"The first thing that came to my mind was the year of the child and the 150th anniversary of Crescent City," Blackburn said. "When I think of the year of a child  I thought of viewing through a looking glass. I thought of the lighthouses."

Her 5-year-old grandson and his grandfather went on the grandson's first boat trip this month.

"Having the tall ships here - he went out on a battle with his parents. How exciting is it that a child can experience that history in the present tense," she said.

In 1991 she began a career in real estate loans. She meet David Finigan and "was struck with the kindness of people in Crescent City."

She moved to Crescent City around 1994 and married.

She headed the Gateway Partnership Education Program beginning in 1999.

About 5 people have applied for Grand Marshall, said Pilar Stancliff, event coordinator for Crescent City and Del Norte County Chamber of Commerce.

"People in the community can nominate people that they feel have contributed to the community," Stancliff said. "A lot of the nominees we have already received have contributed to children."

The committee is seeking nominations for the honorary position of Grand Marshal for the Fourth of July Parade.The selection of a Grand Marshall is an important opportunity to recognize individuals for their contributions to the community and citizens, Stancliff said.

Submissions of nominees are being accepted at the Chamber of Commerce through June 22. The deadline is 5 p.m.

Submissions should include the name of the person being nominated, information as to why the person is being nominated, along with the submission person's name and contact information.